the (us) government is not required to 'recognize' all forms of unions or so called marriages,... just because it has the authority and the responsiblity to define and recognize one.  either the government has discretion or it doesn't; and at least according to article 1, section 8.... it does. if a county clerk operates outside the law,... that can not negate the law she has ignored or circumvented. if a licence branch clerk started passing out drivers licenses to illegals and other 'non qualified' applicants,... would the government in that case be required to validate and 'protect' those illegally gotten certificates? you should know better than that.  emoticonxdonno
Label: Sarcastic